Friday, January 18, 2013

After Norris Frederick finished his University of Washington career in 2008 as one of the school's greatest all-around jumpers, there seemed to be a void in who might fill the gap for the Huskies in the jumps.

The void is about to be filled.

In a series of tweets on his account (@CoachMetcalf), University of Washington head track coach Greg Metcalf announced that standout wide receiver Kasen Williams (left/photo by Paul Merca) will join the Husky track team and make his 2013 debut at next weekend's UW Invitational.

The sophomore from Skyline High School did not compete in track during the 2012 season, but enters the University of Washington with personal bests of 24-5 1/2 (7.45m) in the long jump and 50-9 1/4 (15.47m), set as a senior in 2011 in winning the Washington state 4A championships, as well as the high jump, where he cleared 6-10 (2.08m), short of his personal best of 6-11 (2.11m).

During his high school career, Williams won five individual state titles, and was named the 2011 Gatorade track & field athlete of the year in Washington state.

In a text to paulmerca.blogspot.com, Metcalf stated that Williams would contest the long jump next weekend, but will take a wait-and-see approach on the triple jump.

This past season, Williams had 77 receptions for 878 yards and six touchdowns for the Huskies.

GEUBELLE TRACKS UNCHARTERED GROUND

ncaa.com has a feature post on University Place resident Andrea Geubelle, the reigning national collegiate champ in the triple jump indoors.

Reflecting on 2012, and in particular, the NCAA outdoor championships--where she thought she won--and, the US Olympic Trials, where she got third, but didn't make the Olympic team, she said, "“I was really happy with myself but I was disappointed with the outcome of everything. I got [personal records] in both the long and triple jump but the outcome of my final two meets wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted an outdoor national championship and I wanted to make the Olympic Team.”

If you were expecting to see full videos of every race from last weekend's UW Indoor Preview from media partners Flotrack and Runnerspace.com, including Mary Cain's stunning 9:02.10 in the 3000 to set a national high school record, there's a good reason why you didn't.

We are honored to receive this award, as it comes from our peers who passionately cover the sport, and strive to continue the legacy of excellence that the late Adam Jacobs sought before his untimely passing.

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About Me

Internationally respected track and field writer Paul Merca brings his take on the sport to paulmerca.blogspot.com.
Paul was the assistant director of communications for the 1984 USA Women's Olympic Marathon Trials in Olympia, WA., and public relations director for the 1999 USA Cross Country Championships in Tacoma, WA.
The current public address announcer for the University of Washington's home track and field meets, Merca's been a media assistant to the USA national team (2001-11, 13) at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
His vast knowledge of the sport has been utilized by many of the country's sports television networks, and is a senior writer to Northwest Runner magazine. He's covered eleven IAAF World Track & Field Championships, and two Olympics.
Merca graduated from Seattle's Franklin High School in 1977, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1981 in Communications.
He competed in track and cross country at Franklin, and ran cross country at the University of Washington.